Holiday Bookmark Exchange

On Saturday I was visited by an owl all the way from California, braving the Winter cold of Western New York to deliver a package from Bevin Rae Mooney. It was my Holiday Bookmark Exchange package! Bevin's owl rested for a bit before taking off, it was a good thing he didn't linger as we were hit with a Lake Effect Storm on Sunday. The muggles closed down their airport and highway due to the storm.

Bevin sent me 2 linen bookmarks which she designed, along with some yummy chocolates!

She even made some personalized note cards for Uncle Vincenzio. He sends his thanks to Bevin as well.

Thanks again and I hope everyone has a very happy holiday.

R.A.O.K.! Random Act Of Kaae

This past week I received an owl all the way from Denmark. I had thought I was receiving my Hufflepuff Cracker Exchange very early, but when I opened it I saw a R.A.O.K. from our favorite Hufflepuff Dane, Kaae.

Inside was a skein of Opal sock yarn, a bag of sweets, a Badger coin purse and her very own design... the Mr. Weasley's Knotty Tie. Thanks again Kaae, it's all pretty awesome.

I'll be passing on a R.A.O.K. of my own, which I've decided to keep in house. So a certain Puff will be getting something once Artimus returns from his delivery to Electra the Enchanting. I wonder who it will be???? Don't you???? ::grins::

Hufflepuff Quiz #7

Better late than never I always say...


1. If this was your first HSKS, have you enjoyed yourself. If you are alumni, was this term better than other terms (if so how)?
This is my 3rd HSKS. I've honestly enjoyed all of them. I wasn't able to be as active this time, but still enjoyed it

2. Will you be returning for HSKS7?
Depending on the job situation I hope to come back for HSKS7

3. What is your favorite part of HSKS?
I like the character blogging, especially how I've included myself as an adult as a part of my teen aged wizard character's family. It's great to interact with people who also love 2 of the things that I love; Knitting and Harry Potter. My fan-dom friends who don't knit are very jealous of all the fun things we do and receive.

4. If you had the chance to switch houses next term would you? What house would you be in?
I'm a Hufflepuff through and through. Love my house and my house-mates.

5. Are there any problems that you need to talk to the Head Girl or Prefects about?
No

6. Has your Spoiler been in contact with you about your package?
I've already received my package.

7. Have you been in contact with your Spoilee to let them know you are still with us?
I posted to the main blog that my package is on it's way to her.

QUIDDITCH! - Final Round

1. Who was Tom Riddle Sr.'s girlfriend before Merope gave him the love potion?
b. Cecilia

2. What does Luna say floated into Harry's ear when he was in the train car that supposedly caused him to lose focus?
c. Wrackspurt

3. How much do the primary Apparition lessons cost?
d. 12 galleons

4. What is Professor Merrythought's first name?
b. Galatea

5. What Hogwarts club was Eileen Prince captain of?
b. Gobstones Club

6. Who is head of the Goblin Liaison office?
b. Dirk Cresswell

7. Mrs. Weasley offers Fleur a goblin-made tiara for the wedding with Bill. What family member is currently in possession of the tiara?
a. Aunt Muriel

8. How many points does Snape take from Gryffindor for Harry's late arrival and muggle attire?
b. 70

9. When Profressory Slughorn first meets Hermione, he asks her whether she is related to Hector Dagworth-Granger. What society did Dgworth-Granger found?
d. The Most Extraordinary Society of Potioneers

10. Which of these describes Golpalott's Third Law?
d. The antidote for a blended poison will be equal to more than the sum of the antidotes for each of the separtea components

Working with Uncle Vincenzio, part 2

Thursday evening I went with uncle Vincenzio to the monthly Knitters Guild meeting. They were holding their annual Vendor's Night and Potluck Supper, so his shoppe was invited there as a vendor. We brought all the color transfigured sock yarn that we have been working on. My work was very well received and many of the ladies purchased transfigured sock wool from me.

Uncle Vincenzio and I will be teaching a class on Color Transfiguration in December, so the ladies who have registered for the class were very excited to see what they will be learning. The class is already filled and we will probably be teaching a 2nd class some time in February. Another shoppe owner, who has her shoppe in Hogsmeade, asked if we would come teach our Color Transfiguration class at her shoppe next summer. So we will be looking into doing that.

Not only did we do well in sales, but the dinner was awesome. There was so much food you would think the Hogwarts kitchen elves were there. Uncle Vincenzio joked that the ladies of the guild all bring enough food to each feed an army! I was stuffed! But everything was SO good!

Humperdink Has Landed!

I was helping out at Uncle Vincenzio's shoppe this afternoon when a grande old owl named Humperdink arrived bearing a package for yours truly from Fiera Firenze. Once I had removed the package that was tied to his legs, Humperdink was smothered with attention by Grammie Weasley. She made sure he was well fed and rested after his long journey. He and my owl Artimus seemed to get on famously. But now for my package!!!!

All the bits and bobs for magical fiber transfiguration. I've never had my hand at the Harmony wands, so I'm looking forward to that. Grammie says you can never have enough magic measuring sticks, she believes that evil fiber faeries disapparate them while we sleep.

Some Hufflepuff pride for my dorm room. And a fibery friend for my owl Artimus.

An awesome collections a Fiber Spells all in one book! No more assortment of parchment scraps to shift through.

A couple of Owl Dish cloths. The yellow and black is Shadow Knitting, which the muggle ladies at Uncle Vincenzio's shoppe call "magical." LOL! You ca nsee it better in the sideways picture.

I'm not real big on the dangly markers and such. So Fiera found some fun buttons and stickers.

I think cousin Ron will be amused by these.

Last, and certainly not least... a magical mug that reveals a secret message when a hot beverage is poured into it.
Many thanks to my spoiler Fiera Firenze for a great kit!

Hufflepuff Quiz #5

1. Who suprises Snape with a visit?
Bellatrix and Narcissa
2. Who is at Spinster’s End with Snape?
Peter Pettigrew aka Wormtail
3. Name two people beside Dumbledore that die in HBP.
Amelia Bones and Emmilene Vance
4. How many Horcruxes did Voldemort create?
6
5. Why can’t they keep a Proffessor in the DADA position?
Tom Riddle put a curse on the position
6. Who Makes the oak-matured mead?
Madame Rosmerta
7. Do you trust Snape as much as Dumbledore did?
No, he was playing both sides to see which would come out on top. Had Voldemorte not killed him I think he would have sided with the Death Eaters.
8. What year did Lupin start attending Hogwarts?
1972
9. When does McGonagall talk about closing the school?
After Dumbledore's death
10. What does Malfoy use the Room of Requirement for?
To try and fix the second disappearing cabinet which brought the Death Eaters to Hogwarts. (And heavy snogging sessions with Crabbe and Goyle ::grin::)

Hufflepuff Quiz #4 - Part 2

Professor Remus Lupin was having a terrible morning, and it wasn't even breakfast yet. Someone broke into the Muggle Studies classroom the night before, hid a Boggart in the closet, and set loose 613 doxies. How did he know there were 613 doxies? Because each one took a bite out of his elbow as he tried to capture it, and Madame Pomfrey had to sleep each wound separately. And comment annoyingly about how Professor Horace Slughorn would've had the room cleared out with 2 waves of a wand.

It took forever to get out of the infirmary, and by then Professor Remus Lupin was in a foul mood. Luckily, he knew how to improve it: by finding the culprits and making him, her or them pay. Remus Lupin had overheard some students giggling in the hallways the other day about Antonio dela Weasley's stash of doxy eggs, so he had a good idea of who to interrogate first. Unfortunately for him, but rather fortunately for Antonio dela Weasley, the common room password had recently been changed to Chudley Cannons, so Remus Lupin couldn't enter. The Pink Lady looked up from her portrait and laughed at the cursing, frustrated Professor.

The old Professor Remus Lupin would have thrown a hissy fit at being taunted by a mere portrait, and blasted the thing all the way into the 6th floor girl's bathroom. The new Professor Remus Lupin went to 14 weeks of Anger Management classes, punched a lot of pillows, and took up Basket Weaving. And started subscribing to the Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes catalogue.

Professor Remus Lupin's first class of the day was Muggle Studies with the 3rd year Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws. It took them 2 hours to clean up after the entire carton of Portable Swamps that went off and clung to their robes, schoolbooks, and any exposed flesh. The students all knew that Antonio dela Weasley was planning to do something in Muggle Studies to get Professor Remus Lupin, so everyone blamed him for the prank and gave him the cold shoulder for 17 days, until Ursula Longbottom blew up the Flying classroom with a misplaced charm and became the new pariah-of-the-hour.

Hufflepuff Quiz #4 - Part 1

The List of Words...

1. Remus Lupin
2. Muggle Studies
3. 613
4. Horace Slughorn
5. elbow
6. sleep
7. Antonio dela Weasley
8. Chudley Cannons
9. The Pink Lady
10. 6
11. 14
12. Basket Weaving
13. Ravenclaw
14. Portable Swamp
15. Ursula Longbottom
16. Flying

QUIDDITCH! -Round 2

1. What animal does the portrait in the Muggle Prime Minster’s office resemble?
b. Frog

2. What drink does Romilda Vane try to give Harry?
a. Gillywater

3. What is the name of the person who heads the Holyhead Harpies?
b. Gwenog Jones

4. How many ‘Exceeds Expectation’ grades does Harry receive in his O.W.L’s?
c. 5

5. What is Professor Slughorn’s favorite candy?
d. Crystallized Pineapple

6. What tattoo is Harry reported to have on his chest?
c. Hippogriff

7. What color robes do the staff at the Weasley’s shop wear?
b. Magenta

8. What is the man outside Flourish and Blotts selling?
a. Amulets

9. How much is the skull, which Hermione enquires about at Borgin and Burkes, worth?
c. 16 Galleons

10. What are Professor Slughorn’s initials?
b. H.E.F.

New Professor????

This past weekend I was helping Uncle Vincenzio in his shoppe on Diagon Alley and there were rumours that a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor had already been hired to teach next term at Hogwarts. While this isn't all that surprising, given that there has been a new instructor every term, it seems that the thing that everyone was talking about was "who" was hired.

From what the ladies in the knitting circle had heard, the new D.A.D.A. professor will be the younger sister of a former D.A.D.A. professor Dolores Umbridge. Up to now she had been living quietly in the colonies. Now she had returned to Britain and seems even more bent on achieving power and control than her older sister had. It seems that everyone is concerned with what will happen with Sarah Umbridge in a position of authority.

Hufflepuff Quiz #3

1. On what day does Harry run into Draco and Narcissa in Diagon Alley?
August 3rd

2. How does Harry get detention in DADA?
He tells Snape that he doesn't need to call him Sir

3. How does Ron get his spot on the Gryffindor Quidditch Team?
Hermione uses a Confundus Charm on the competition

4. When is the first Apparition lesson?
February 1st

5. When do Ron and Ginny breakup with Lavender and Dean?
Ron broke up with Dean????? ::grin::
April 21st

6. What Horcrux is hidden in the cave?
The locket of Salazar Slytherin

7. Who does Filch have a romance with?
Madam Pince

8. When is Voldemort’s birthday and birth place?
December 31st; London

9. What is Dumbledor’s favorite flavor of jam?
Raspberry

10. Who is “Mollywobbles” and who uses the name?
Molly Weasley; Arthur calls her that

Picture Search

Snape

Draco

Kreacher

Madam Pince

Rufus Scrimgeour

Hufflepuff Quiz #2

1 Which is your favorite book in the series (and why)?
The Half Blood Prince; of course because of Dumbledore's claim of loving knitting patterns, Harry's private lessons and learning more about Tom Riddle, Fred and George being successful, proving that there was more to them than just a couple of jokesters, students learning more complicated magic (non-verbal spells).

2 If you were taking Owls, which class would you get an E in? Would you get any Ts?
Potions and Charms, I think I would do well in both of those. History of Magic, not so good. History has never been my strong suit.

3 Who is your favorite character (or characters) in the Harry Potter series?
The Weasley brothers: Ron because I relate to being the side-kick, Fred and George because they would always be a good time

4 If you had to pick 1 character for a roommate, who would you pick and why? Who'd be your least-favorite to have as a roommate?
Ron Weasley, he's a loyal friend. Least favorite would be Draco Malfoy, he seems like the spoiled rich kid who thinks he's better than everyone else.

5 Hufflepuffs are a hardworking bunch, but also a bit mischevious. Which Hogwarts professor would you most like to prank, and how would you do it?
Professor Snape, because I think he was very cruel to his students. I would put a charm on the class room that would cause the song "Disco Inferno" to be played every time someone light a fire under their cauldron.

6 Favorite DADA professor? (from the books, Lucius does NOT count :)
Professor Lupin, he really taught defensive magic.

7 Favorite magical creatures? (Also, if for example you like a certain creature in general, but not how they are represented in the HP canon, feel free to elaborate :)
I don't have a particular favorite magical creature. but I do like how they weren't protrayed as cute and cuddly because they were magic creatures. Many were dangerous, yet beautiful and yet there were fearsome creatures that could be tame and helpful.

8 What is your favorite food in the HP universe? Which food or foods would you like to try in real life? Do you have any recipes to share with us ;)?
chocolate frogs, because I love chocolate and it would be cool for a chocolate to leap like a frog before you could eat it. I used to collect bubblegum cards when I was younger too.

9 Broom, floo powder, portkey, or magic carpet?
While riding a broom would be cool, what do you do with it once you get there? Carry it over your shoulder. A portkey could be any small object that would instantly transport you. I could be something that you keep in your pocket.

10 Since we're Hufflepuffs... Yellow or Black?
I like the combination of the colors, plus variants of them as well such as gold, mustard and grey. Doesn't have to just be Canary Yellow and Coal Black.

An Angel Named Penelope

During HSKS5 I turned out to have the dreaded "Missing In Action" Owl. My spoiler had dutifully sent her package by Priority Owl, but it never arrived at the destination. I suspect the poor owl had been cunfunded as the Owl Post Information Center reported that owl could not deliver nor return the package. It sounds suspiciously like the work of dark wizards.

When it appeared that it was unlikely that this owl would ever turn up, Deputy Headmistress Wisteria Lovegood made sure that I would receive an Angel Package. Thanks to the lovely Penelope of Flitwick, from the Gryffindor house, I received my package today.

AND LOOK AT ALL I GOT!!!!!!


I see a big yellow satchel!


I'll have to keep my room-mates Draco and Rufus away from all those sweets

The Hufflepuff boy's dormitory will be smelling pretty sweet with the Lavender Reed Diffuser and the Aromatherapy Foam Bath Gels. There's also a set of KnitPicks Harmony DPNs and 2 skeins of Wildefoote sock yarn. I'm going to try out the Fred & George Not-So-Identical sock pattern with that!

Thanks again to Penelope and Wisteria for making sure I was not left out of HSKS5.

Hat Dueling - Round 1

It was a close battle, but in the end my dueling partner Arriana Stylos came out ahead. Both of our owls delivered today, but according to the Owl Post confirmation her package arrived 1 1/2 hours earlier than mine. We each got a hat that we love and she will be advancing to the next round. I'll be cheering her on, until she faces a fellow Hufflepuff that is.

This is the hat that I made for Arrianna

Close up of the stitches

Like several duelers, my first hat came out too small. I always go down a needle size when working with worsted weight. This came out small enough for a child's hat. It will go to the Knitting Guild's Charity Knitting

Both hats... see the size difference...

The hat I received from Arriana

Uncle Vincenzio Ricardo thinks he looks devilishly handsome in my new hat!

QUIDDITCH! -Round 1

1. At the beginning of the book, Cornelius Fudge is talking to the Muggle Prime Minister. Which member of the Order of the Phoenix has recently been found dead?
c. Emmeline Vance

2. What animal does Bellatrix Lestrange kill when she and her sister, Narcissa, are going to see Professor Snape?
b. Fox

3. What time does Professor Dumbledore collect Harry from Privet Drive?
b. 11 p.m.

4. What did Professor Sluhorn transform into when he was trying to hide from Harry and Professor Dumbledore?
a. An armchair

5. What grade did Harry get for Herbology?
a. E – Exceeds Expectation

6. Herbert Chorley, the Prime Minister’s Junior Minster, has been entertaining the public by impersonating which animal?
b. A duck

7. What is Professor Sprout’s first name?
d. Pomona

8. What is Dumbledore’s idea of ‘a few words’?
d. nitwit, oddment, blubber and tweak

9. Who is Marcus Belby’s famous uncle?
b. Damocles

10. What is Snape’s mother’s name?
b. Eileen Prince

PICTURES

Narcissa

Snape

Bellatrix

Professor Sprout

Professor Dumbledore

Picture Day

This turned out to be perfect timing as I traveled with Uncle Vincenzio this weekend to the states, New Hampshire to be exact, for the wedding of Fiona and Mijan Fawkes. It was quite the affair and I think I looked quite dapper in my pin-stripe suit. Uncle Vincenzio took this picture of me while I was on the dance floor.

Hufflepuff Quiz #1

1. Do you knit and/or crochet? Knitter

2. How long have you been at your craft? Over 20 years

3. Do you spin? If yes do you use drop spindle or wheel. The Knitting Guild had a Drop Spindle demo which I participated in. I haven't touched it since then.

4. What is your favorite color? Blue

5. Do you have any other hobbies? Between knitting and Harry Potter who has time???

6. What are your favorite yarns/fibers? Wool, Alpaca, Silk and blends of them.

7. What are your LEAST favorite yarns/fibers? Eyelash yarns and cheap acrylics that feel like plastic

8. Are there any yarns that you’ve been eyeing and wanting to try? I've never met a natural fiber I didn't like

9. What are you currently working on? Socks and a lace shawl

10. What is your favorite Finished Object? (Pictures are welcome.) Fiber Trends Felted Slippers

11. Are their any knitting/crochet techniques that you would like to learn? Combination Knitting, I've heard of it, but never learned it.

12. What is you favorite type of book or movie? Comic book Superhero movie; Xmen, Superman... surprisingly I have not seen Dark Knight

13. Who is your favorite person at Hogwarts? Ron Weasley

14. Favorite class and/or subject at Hogwarts? Charms

15. How many family members do you have? Antonio has his Mum, Dad, his grandparents; Grampa and Grammie dela Weasley (Dad's parents), Nonnie and Poppa (Mum's parents), twin sister Antonia and his Uncle Vincenzio Ricardo

16. What is your favorite Fall activity? Nothing really in particular

17. How many projects do you have on your needles/hook? 2 pairs of socks, lace shawl, 2 scarves, stocking cap, cardigan (needs to be assembled)

18. What is your favorite type of footwear? Sneakers

19. What is your favorite beverage of choice? Diet Ginger-Ale

20. What is your favorite park of Half-blood Prince? Dumbledore saying "I do love knitting patterns"

Questionnaire

Potter Name: Antonio dela Weasley

Rav ID: yarnguy716

I am allergic to: none

Pets that I have: my yarn is my pet :-); no pets

My favorite yarn: I never met a yarn I didn't like. I just bought some Platinum Sock Yarn from Wool2Dye4 and it feels scrumptious. I can't wait to dye it and I am definitely keeping a skein for myself!

If you are a Ravenclaw, do you prefer the film colors or the book colors? N/A I'm a Puff!

My favorite flavor: CHOCOLATE! (trying to stay on program with Weight Watchers, but a little bit never killed anyone, you never know when a Dementor might show up!)

My favorite holiday: Christmas

I would like to receive a: Sock kit

List your favorite brand of needles or hooks, including size and length: Addi Turbo or Inox; US2, 40" cable

Is there a brand that you are dying to try?: Knit Picks Harmony Circulars

I've participated in HSKS: (How many times have you participated in HSKS swaps?) This is my 3rd time

Do you have a birthday during this swap? If so which day? My birthday was at the beginning of last term.

Dumbledore's Army!

I received my badge for the Dumbledore's Army part of Hogwarts Sock Kit Swap 5. I am considered an Outstanding swapper!

Thanks for all the compliments on the Hufflepuff socks. Haven't worn them yet, it's too hot for wool socks right now. I will wear them to the wedding I'm attending in September for 2 friends who are in the HP fandom. I wound up with about 38 gms of leftover sock yarn. I really think I could have made both socks with just the hand-painted yarn and been able to complete both. I use what is left on another pair of socks.

Badger Paws!

I finished the socks I was making for myself using the yarn I received for HSKS4. I'm quite pleased with the results.

QUIDDITCH! -Round 3

1. When Hagrid returns to Hogwarts after being sent to see the giants with Madame Maxime, Professor Umbridge questions him on his late return to school. She suspects that Hagrid had been to the mountains, but where does he tell her he has been?
d. South of France

2. Professor Umbridge comes to Hagrid's Hut and searches his cabin one evening (as she believes Harry, Ron and Hermione are there visiting him at night when they are not supposed to). When she walks past the place where Harry, Ron and Hermione are hiding under the Invisibility Cloak, Harry holds his breath. True or false?
b. False

3. A stately-looking witch in an emerald green shawl is one of the members of the Advance Guard who rescues Harry from Privet Drive. What is her name?
a. Emmeline Vance

4. What is the name of the witch who was killed two weeks after the photo of the original Order of the Phoenix was taken?
b. Marlene McKinnon

5. Which two fifth year Ravenclaw students does Dumbledore choose to be prefects?
d. Anthony Goldstein and Padma Patil

6. Which house was Rose Zeller sorted into?
d. Hufflepuff

7. What is the color of Murtlap's essence?
c. Yellow

8. Name the Ravenclaw girl who became prefect in Harry's fifth year.
b. Padma Patil

9. According to a healer's portrait at St. Mungo's hospital, which disease was Ron suffering from?
d. Spattergroit

10. Which book did Harry give Hermione for Christmas?
a. "New Theory of Numberology"

Picture Scavenger Hunt

Padma Patil

Hannah Abott

Percy (with Uncle Vincenzio!)

Dumbledore's Army

Cedric Diggory

Artimus Takes Flight

Our family owl took flight late on Friday carrying a package from my spoilee, Agatha Ackerly. Hopefully it will get there before she leaves for here trip. I spoke with Agatha by electronic owl and she is leaving for the muggle city of Dallas on Tuesday. So I'm hoping Artimus gets there on Monday. If not Agatha will have a surprise waitng when she gets home.

Hufflepuff Quiz #6

1) What is a Chimaera?
A bloodthirsty creature that has the head of a lion, body of a goat and tail of a dragon.

2) Name 3 of the 4 breeds of Winged Horses.
Thestral, Abraxan and Aethonan

3) What are Yeti afraid of?
Fire

4) How does a wizard rid a farm of a Nogtail?
Chase it off by a pure white dog

5) Why are Fwoopers sold with a silencing charm?
Their song will drive the listener insane

6) Where are Erklings found?
Germany

7) Name the only spell known to repel a Lethifold.
Patronus Charm

Lunch With the Ackerly's

Yesterday afternoon I had the chance to meet my spoilee Agatha Ackerly for lunch. She was traveling with her mum, Kataleena Ackerly and Agatha's young cousin Lucifer Scrimshaw. We had planned to meet at a pizzeria chain, which was a favorite of Lucifer's, but it was closed due to the Annual Independence Celebration of the Colonies. Fortunately there was a hoagie shoppe nearby that was open, although these American's refer to them as "subs."

Agatha's mum did some shopping with uncle Vincenzio in the muggle plaza while the 3 of us had lunch. We talked about our year at Hogwarts and our swapping experiences, although I couldn't tell her much about this one or it would ruin her surprise! I was also able to show Agatha some of the knitting techniques I've learned from the muggle ladies who visit uncle Vincenzio's shoppe. We both were quite amused that they call something "magic-loop" but it has no magic involved. LOL!

Agatha's cousin Lucifer is a brilliant young bloke who is fascinated by muggle gadgetry. Unlike most wizards though, he understands and can use it all! While Agatha and I were knitting he sat by the windows using his muggle "laptop computer." Before we all left he used what he called a "digital camera" to take a photo of Agatha and I. Agatha sent it to me by electronic owl.

I don't quite understand all this muggle "technology" myself, but it doesn't seem to have worked correctly. Young Lucifer only took a picture of Agatha and I, yet the picture is of Agatha's mum and my uncle Vincenzio. Something is not quite right with that. I'll have to ask the Muggle Studies instructor about this in our next class.

We are hoping to meet up again the next time Agatha comes to town.

Hufflepuff Socks Update

Just thought I would post an update on the Hufflepuff socks that I'm making with the sock yarn I received from HSKS4. As you can see, the first sock is completed.
I always make sure to cast on the second sock as soon as I finish the first one. It helps insure that a second sock is made.
I just finished the heel of the second sock and have started the gusset. I can't wait to have a finished pair so I can wear them!